Johan Famaey to Perform at 2026 Belgian Chocolate Festival
Belgian musician Johan Famaey is scheduled to perform in Hong Kong this November.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Cultural
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Belgian yangqin and piano player Johan Famaey will perform at the 2026 Belgian Chocolate Festival in Hong Kong on November 14 and 15, 2026. Following these appearances, the artist is scheduled to perform a concert in Macau.
Why it matters
Famaey aims to use his music to facilitate dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures. His compositions often blend traditional Chinese and European influences to celebrate ongoing international relations.
Famaey earned his master's degree from the Lemmens Institute in 2002 and later composed the 10-track Chinese Memories series in 2011. He also composed the work Together through Time to honor the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.
The players
Johan Famaey
He is a 47-year-old Belgian professional musician known for playing the yangqin and piano.
Lemmens Institute
It is an educational institution where Famaey earned his master's degree in 2002.
The details
The yangqin has evolved into a chromatic instrument, enabling Famaey to fuse it with Western instruments like the piano, organ, and strings. His arrangements incorporate varied percussion and vocalists to bridge these musical traditions.
Timeline
Famaey earned a master's degree from the Lemmens Institute in 2002.
Famaey moved to Qingdao, China, in 2005.
Famaey returned to Belgium from China in 2009.
Famaey composed his Chinese Memories series in 2011.
Famaey will perform in Hong Kong on November 14 and 15, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows the established tradition of using cultural diplomacy to commemorate the 50 years of China-EU diplomatic relations. It highlights the growing trend of Western artists integrating traditional Chinese instruments into mainstream performance repertoires.
Audiences in Hong Kong can attend performances at PMQ on November 14 and 15, 2026. Fans in Macau will also have the opportunity to see Famaey perform live following his scheduled Hong Kong appearances.
The takeaway
Famaey demonstrates how musical innovation can bridge cultural divides through the fusion of Eastern and Western instrumentation. His career highlights the potential for artistic collaboration to serve as a medium for international dialogue.
Further reading
For more information on similar artistic exchanges, visit the Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South China Morning Post.
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